When we took the bus tour around Cardiff on our first visit, I dismissed the city as bland and lifeless. Our second visit totally reversed that image. Busses cannot enter the city center. It is a huge pedestrian area – teeming with people, packed solid with eating places – truly designed for metropolitan living at its best. Surrounding this old area is all the new, reclaimed Cardiff Bay area, featuring new and converted buildings that house all the offices. Population boomed in the last ten years, adding about 40,000 for a total of around 350,000 within the city. We did not see much of an immigrant population in the city center around lunch hour, but as we drove home, there were many school children of black and brown color.

Norah and I spent the morning shopping. Cardiff is the arcade capital of the UK. Lots of lovely shops and I scored a scarf at the Oxfam Store. Love those bargains. We did mid-morning tea and Welsh cakes to pick ourselves up from shopping. Ed spent his time learning that most things he wanted to visit, The Cardiff Museum, the Tower at the Cardiff Castle, close on Monday.

Lunch at Jamie Oliver’s Italian restaurant. Lovely food. Ed ordered a starter of mushrooms fritte, Norah a nice bread assortment. I had quinoa and lentils, this time with beets and avocado. Norah ordered shrimp scampi and Ed a pasta with veal ragu. Dessert was the sweetest small strawberries with just a touch of frozen yogurt.

Three scenes of Cardiff City Centre:  from left - down an arcade, street buskers, view down to St. John's Church — Three scenes of Cardiff City Centre: from left - down an arcade, street buskers, view down to St. John's Church

The modern area that surrounds the City Centre

Jamie Oliver's Italian at St. David's Mall

Back to the Fishguard legend of Jemima.  Found this model of a late 18th century redcoat.  It's possible that starving French soldiers could have seen Jemima as a soldier.  She certainly acted the part. — Back to the Fishguard legend of Jemima. Found this model of a late 18th century redcoat. It's possible that starving French soldiers could have seen Jemima as a soldier. She certainly acted the part.

Home again to Southwinds where Ed got this shot of a tiny wren who has been serenading us each day - taking a bath in the mossy birdbath.  Look for a small bird head in the center of the photo. — Home again to Southwinds where Ed got this shot of a tiny wren who has been serenading us each day - taking a bath in the mossy birdbath. Look for a small bird head in the center of the photo.

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